Against a backdrop of searing sun and towering cranes, Meswaki officials and contractors held a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for a $111 million expansion of the Meswaki Bingo-Casino-Hotel. Once completed, the added facility will more than double the square feet of gaming work.
"When we're done, this will be the best facility in Iowa and the Midwest," said Brad Hornberg, project manager for the Landmarks Company of St. Louis.
The plan calls for the construction of a nine-story hotel with 200 rooms, 15 luxury suites, a spa, and a lobby. Once opened, the tribe will begin renovating the current 206-room facility. At the same time, builders are also building a second gaming area and adding a convention center. In the spring when construction is completed, builders will start renovating the existing gaming space.
While construction is in full swing, the contractors will hire 475 people.
When the facility opens, about 400 employees will be added to the 1,150 people already working full-time.
Ray Young Bear, secretary of the Meskwaki Tribal Committee, said 15 years ago that he and a group of artists requested ownership of the red barn on a hill that leads to the casino. The artists hoped to turn the structure into an art museum.
"The plan has become difficult to realize, but I sometimes think back - now that I humbly serve this tribal community as a councillor - no artist's dream could conceptualize what would happen here today," he said.
Young Bear said the red barn symbolized the casino complex. And he said the expansion will diversify economic opportunities for the tribe.
Since the opening of the first casino New Year's Eve in 2002, profits have been used to establish economic stability for shortages. Tribal members receive about $1,700 a month per person after federal taxes. Casino profits are also used to build homes.
Despite the timing of the expansion, casino general manager Dan Stromer said updating the facility would not compete with Iowa's expanded gambling facilities, but would continue the tribe's vision. 릴게임
"This started years ago," Stromer said.
He added that the improved facilities will attract people from states and across the country. The new swimming pool, four restaurants, an expanded bingo seating and convention center are some of the amenities available to the Meswaki when they dedicate their expansion about a year from now.
Stromer said the game operation is being called Iowa's only full-service casino because of the types of games and amenities offered. People don't leave the complex and check in, gamble, play shows, and eat. He said there is no other game facility in the state that offers gaming facilities like this.
Future plans include the construction of 500 car parks, golf courses and hiking trails.
